Michelle Taylor

Editor-in-Chief

Forensic

Michelle Taylor has worked on the Forensic brand since 2016. Well established in the industry, Michelle has attended dozens of scientific conferences and conducted interviews with key opinion leaders, including multiple Nobel Prize winners and award-winning forensic scientists. Michelle enjoys writing about investigative forensic genetic genealogy, novel psychoactive substances, next-generation sequencing, sexual assault kits and more. Michelle received her BA in journalism from Elon University in North Carolina. Michelle can be reached at [email protected] Michelle can be reached at [email protected]

DNA, Genealogical Testing Played Key Role in Kohberger Arrest
January 06, 2023
Genetic genealogy in the traditional sense—which involves the searching of publicly available databases and the construction of a family tree—was not used, although parentage testing did play a vital role. read more
Will the University of Idaho Murders be a Turning Point for Genetic Genealogy?
January 04, 2023
When Idaho police could not—presumably—match the DNA retrieved from the crime scene to anyone in CODIS, did they immediately turn to IGG? read more
Forensic’s Top 10 News Articles of 2022
December 28, 2022
As we prepare to move into a new year, let’s take a look back at Forensic’s most popular news of the year, while reflecting on how far forensic science has come in the last 12 months. read more
JonBenet Ramsey Detective Disciplined for Failing to Investigate Cases
December 14, 2022
A former lead detective on the JonBenét Ramsey murder case—and the person who interviewed JonBenét’s parents four months after the murder—has been disciplined for failing to investigate cases. However, not all parties involved agree the reprimand doled out fits the seriousness of the misconduct. read more
2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Forensic Professionals
December 12, 2022
If you have a forensic scientist, science-lover or even budding scientist on your list this year, check out the top 10 gifts on this year’s Forensic Holiday Gift Guide. read more
'Boy in the Box' is Identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli
December 08, 2022
After 65 years, "America's Unknown Child" has been identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli. Colleen Fitzpatrick and Identifinders International helped give Joseph back his name. read more
Drugs of Abuse Update: A Safer Opioid and 3 New Biomarkers
December 05, 2022
Recent research by scientists at the University of Southern California and the National University of Singapore seeks to address at least some of today’s challenges in forensic toxicology. read more
NJ College Launches World’s First Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center
December 02, 2022
A small public liberal arts college in Bergen County, New Jersey launched the world’s first investigative genetic genealogy center on Thursday. read more
Cabanatuan Prison Camp: Using Modern DNA Tech in Highly Commingled WWII Cases
November 30, 2022
During initial processing, analysis, and identification—any subsequent attempts in the years to come—commingling of skeletal elements among individuals within the same common grave and between common graves likely occurred. read more
Real-time NPS Report: Overwhelming Fentanyl Use, Fentanyl Analogs on the Rise
November 21, 2022
Fentanyl is overwhelmingly the most commonly detected opioid nationally, although geographical differences are present for opioids, poly-drug use and novel psychoactive substances (NPS). read more
New Technology Creates ‘Digital Alibis’
November 18, 2022
If you have a map app and location services enabled on your phone, it pretty much knows where you are 24/7/365. Well, it knows where it is—not necessarily you. read more
DNA Databases Key to Preventing Future Victims
November 07, 2022
If Ashley Spence’s rapist was arrested in Arizona, where he brutally raped the then-19-year-old, he would likely still be roaming the streets. read more
Forensic Genetic Genealogy Needs International Cooperation
November 02, 2022
If countries do not work cooperatively on an FIGG framework, the forensic community could end up with a fractured system vulnerable to inadvertent legal missteps. read more
Whole Genome Targeting, Phenotypic Data Give 1800’s 'Vampire' a Face
October 31, 2022
If any kids dressed as vampires come to your door tonight requesting candy, they probably won’t look like the 19th century “vampire” in this reconstruction. read more
Three Victims, One County: Genealogy Gives Names Back to 3 Unidentified Bodies
October 26, 2022
Thanks to the relentless review of cold cases by a lieutenant at the Benton County (Arkansas) Sheriff’s Office and a March 2021 meeting with Othram, investigators have now identified previously unidentified remains of three homicide victims dating back over 40 years ago. read more
Australian Scientists Find New Ketamine-like Drug
October 24, 2022
Scientists working with Australia's first fixed pill testing site have detected a mysterious new recreational drug not seen in the country before, nor toxicologically described anywhere else. read more
Maryland Selects 100 In-custody Police Deaths to Review after George Floyd Testimony
October 21, 2022
Maryland will review about 100 autopsies of people who died in police custody involving physical restraint because of concerns about the state’s former medical examiner’s testimony in the death of George Floyd. read more
Dog Finds Evidence of Sexual Assault After Unique Training Program
October 19, 2022
April’s 6-week training program wasn’t focused on searching for human remains or explosives; rather, April is now one of three dogs in the UK trained to detect very small amounts of seminal fluid. read more
NJ Bill Limits Use of Newborn Dried Bloodspot Cards
October 17, 2022
Lawmakers in New Jersey have introduced a bill that would prevent police from using newborn bloodspots for anything other than detecting disease. read more
Marijuana ‘Breathalyzer’ is One Step Closer
October 12, 2022
Measuring THC, the active compound in marijuana that leads to a high, is much different than, for example, the level of ethanol that is measured with a traditional alcohol breathalyzer. read more